Catch up on select AI news and developments from the past week or so (in no particular order):
Google's Gemini 1.5 Pro Expands AI Context Window to 2M Tokens. Google announced a major update for Gemini 1.5 Pro, offering a 2 million token context window, capable of processing large datasets such as hours of video, audio, and extensive codebases. This update is now available to all developers. Additionally, Gemini 1.5 Flash enters general availability with a 1 million token context window, low latency, and competitive pricing. Google also unveils global availability of Gemma 2 and previews Imagen 3 for enhanced image generation.
Importance for marketers: This significant enhancement in AI processing capacity can revolutionize data analysis and content creation, offering new opportunities for marketing automation and insights.
Figma Introduces Major Redesign and AI Tools at Config Conference. Figma unveiled a significant UI redesign and new generative AI tools at its Config conference, enhancing user experience and project creation. The redesign includes a new toolbar, rounded corners, and 200 new icons. New AI features assist in project initiation and expedite small tasks. Figma also introduces Figma Slides for integrated presentation creation. The beta period runs through the end of the year with potential usage limits.
Importance for marketers: These updates streamline design processes, making it easier to create and present marketing materials efficiently.
OpenAI Delays Launch of ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode. OpenAI delayed the release of its ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode by one month to meet safety and real-time response standards. Initially planned for late June, early access is now expected next month, with a wider rollout following. The delay aims to improve content detection, user experience, and system scalability. This update is crucial for enhancing conversational AI capabilities.
Importance for marketers: Advanced Voice Mode can significantly enhance customer interactions and engagement in marketing campaigns by providing more natural and responsive AI communication.
Researchers Propose MatMul-Free AI Model for Efficiency. Researchers from UC Santa Cruz and collaborators have proposed a method to run AI language models without matrix multiplication, potentially reducing environmental impact and operational costs. Their 2.7 billion parameter model performs comparably to traditional models but with higher efficiency. The approach, detailed in a preprint paper, could revolutionize AI by making it more accessible and sustainable.
Importance for marketers: This innovation can lower costs and improve the sustainability of AI-driven marketing tools, making advanced AI capabilities more widely available.
Apple Rejects Meta's AI Partnership Proposal. Apple reportedly declined Meta's proposal to integrate its AI chatbot technology into Apple devices, according to Bloomberg. The rejection came months ago, and there have been no discussions since March. This decision highlights Apple's focus on developing its AI capabilities independently.
Importance for marketers: This rejection could influence the strategic direction of AI integration in consumer technology, impacting future marketing strategies and partnerships.
Amazon Developing AI Chatbot to Compete with ChatGPT. Amazon is secretly working on an AI chatbot named "Metis" to rival OpenAI's ChatGPT. Metis, powered by Amazon's internal Olympus AI model, aims to provide text- and image-based answers, automate complex tasks, and retrieve up-to-date information. The project, involving Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, is set to launch in September.
Importance for marketers: Amazon's entry into the AI chatbot market can drive competition and innovation, potentially offering new tools for customer engagement and automation.
AI Dataset Licensing Companies Form Trade Group. Seven companies, including Rightsify and vAIsual, have formed the Dataset Providers Alliance (DPA) to advocate for ethical data sourcing in the training of AI models. The DPA aims to protect intellectual property rights and ensure transparency in training data usage. This move follows rising concerns and lawsuits over AI-generated content.
Importance for marketers: This alliance could lead to more ethically sourced data for AI models, ensuring compliance and enhancing trust in AI-driven marketing tools.
Character.AI Launches Voice Call Feature for AI Chatbots. Character.AI has introduced a new feature allowing users to have voice conversations with AI chatbot characters. This update, following OpenAI's delay of its advanced voice mode, aims to enhance user engagement by offering free two-way voice calls. The feature has already prompted over 20 million calls from 3 million users.
Importance for marketers: Enhanced voice interaction capabilities can improve customer experience and provide more dynamic ways to engage with audiences.
OpenAI Signs Multiyear Content Deal With Time Magazine. OpenAI has entered a multiyear agreement with Time magazine, granting it access to Time's news archive. This deal enables ChatGPT to cite and link to Time.com in responses, similar to agreements with other media outlets, such as Financial Times and Le Monde.
Importance for marketers: Access to reputable content sources can enhance the reliability and credibility of AI-generated insights and responses in marketing strategies.
Amazon Plans to Charge for Advanced Alexa Features. Amazon is developing a premium version of Alexa, dubbed "Remarkable Alexa," which will offer enhanced capabilities for a monthly fee between $5 and $10. The upgraded version aims to handle complex prompts and provide deeper personalization. Amazon expects to release it around August.
Importance for marketers: Advanced AI-driven features in Alexa can offer new avenues for customer interaction and personalized marketing, enhancing user experience.
OpenAI and Anthropic Among Those Ignoring Web Scraping Protocols. OpenAI and Anthropic, along with other AI players, are reportedly bypassing the Robots Exclusion Protocol, allowing them to scrape web content despite explicit instructions not to. This has led to concerns among publishers about unauthorized use of their content for AI model training.
Importance for marketers: Understanding these practices is crucial for ethical AI data usage and maintaining trust with content creators and publishers.
Typing to AI Assistants Gaining Popularity. With Apple's iOS 18 update, users can now type to Siri instead of using voice commands, addressing privacy concerns and the awkwardness of using voice assistants in public. This update is expected to make AI assistants more user-friendly and versatile.
Importance for marketers: Adapting AI interactions to user preferences can enhance engagement and acceptance of AI-driven marketing tools and customer service.
Synthesia Introduces AI-Generated Multilingual Video Presentations. AI startup Synthesia has launched new features allowing users to create AI avatars and multilingual video presentations using just a phone or webcam. These updates aim to democratize video production for businesses, enhancing accessibility and efficiency.
Importance for marketers: Synthesia's tools can significantly streamline video content creation, making it easier for marketers to produce engaging, multilingual promotional materials.
OpenAI Acquires Video Collaboration Platform Multi. OpenAI has acquired Multi, a video-first collaboration platform, in an acqui-hire deal. This acquisition aligns with OpenAI's strategy to enhance its enterprise solutions and integrate collaboration capabilities into its offerings. Multi will shut down after July 24, with most of its team joining OpenAI.
Importance for marketers: The integration of advanced collaboration tools into AI platforms can improve remote team productivity and facilitate better marketing project management.
Emergence Raises $97.2 Million to Develop AI Agents. Emergence, an AI startup founded by former IBM executives, has raised $97.2 million in funding to develop agent-based AI systems for automating complex tasks. The company aims to build AI agents that handle advanced planning and reasoning, enhancing enterprise workflows.
Importance for marketers: AI agents capable of complex automation can streamline marketing operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency in managing marketing tasks.
Google Rolls Out Gemini AI Sidebar in Gmail and Other Apps. Google is introducing Gemini AI features in Gmail, allowing for email thread summaries and drafting new emails. These features are also being rolled out in Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. However, these tools are only available to paid users.
Importance for marketers: Enhanced AI features in Google's suite can improve productivity and streamline content creation, aiding marketers in managing communications and documents more effectively.
Music Record Labels Sue AI Song Generators for Copyright Infringement. Major record labels, including Sony and Universal, have sued AI music startups Suno and Udio for copyright infringement, alleging unauthorized use of artists' works. This lawsuit highlights ongoing tensions between the music industry and AI developers over intellectual property rights.
Importance for marketers: Ensuring compliance with copyright laws in AI-generated content is crucial for avoiding legal issues and maintaining ethical standards in marketing campaigns.
Shopify Expands AI-Powered Features to Attract More Businesses. Shopify has expanded access to its AI tools, including the Sidekick assistant and image-generation features, to enhance its e-commerce platform and attract more users. These tools aim to help merchants with customer insights and promotional material creation.
Importance for marketers: Enhanced AI tools on Shopify can provide deeper insights into customer behavior and streamline marketing efforts, boosting e-commerce sales and engagement.
Stability AI Appoints New CEO Amid Financial Troubles. Stability AI has appointed Prem Akkaraju as its new CEO. The appointment comes with a cash infusion from investors, including Sean Parker, to stabilize the company, which has been facing financial difficulties.
Importance for marketers: Leadership changes and financial stability in AI companies can impact the development and reliability of AI tools used in marketing strategies.
Apple Delays AI Features in Europe Because of EU Tech Rules. Apple is delaying the launch of three new AI features in Europe as a result of regulatory uncertainties related to the EU's Digital Markets Act. These features include Phone Mirroring, SharePlay Screen Sharing, and Apple Intelligence.
Importance for marketers: Regulatory compliance is crucial for the rollout of new technologies, impacting the availability and functionality of AI-driven marketing tools in different regions.
You can find last week's AI Update here.
Editor's note: GPT-4o was used to help compile this week's AI Update.
